Hard top wind noise

[techieanalyst]

Yeah the bigger vehicles have better interior noise, hows the Denali? Currently fighting with myself on the new Expedition, Navigator and Denali but also thinking to wait it out for the new suburban of Cadillac

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[jericbarg]

My Denali is a 2018 Sierra crew cab pick up. It is silent at highway speeds, moreso than my Wife's lexus.
It has spoiled me.

 

[LJtoJL]

My Sahara JLU has this same wind noise, Ive already had it in the dealer for another issue, they gave me a 2017 JKU as a rental, with the 3-piece hardtop it did not have any of the wind noise. Sent a video file to my service writer, he said its definitely excessive and next time I had it in they would look into it.

 

[captainjack]

My Sahara JLU has this same wind noise, Ive already had it in the dealer for another issue, they gave me a 2017 JKU as a rental, with the 3-piece hardtop it did not have any of the wind noise. Sent a video file to my service writer, he said its definitely excessive and next time I had it in they would look into it.

Please let me know what they say as my dealer cannot figure it out. My JK was so much quieter. I am going to drop it again this week.

 

[liquids]

If it's fixable, it would be unusual for a design issue to make it all the way into production w/o being caught. That makes me think it's a supplier quality and/or assembly issue. Glad I'm waiting until summer.

 

[Rubi]

I think the soft top may be just as noisy at the header but the sound gets soaked up in the material. The hardtop just resonates the sound throughout the cabin.
I do agree, the premium soft top is much easier on the ears.

From what I’ve read there’s two types of noise; a resonating vibrating hardtop and actual leaking, rushing in air, noisy whooshing sound; which is it? I would like to know and the various dealer technician’s will most definitely have to know to hopefully excecute a fix.

Maybe the front freedom panels where made too flimsy, the reviewers said they are much lighter. Maybe the new windshield angle is causing an unexpected aerodynamic turbulence.

Maybe the 2 door having a smaller hardtop will not vibrate like jercibarg states above with the larger 4 door.

 

[Cr80108]

I test drove the JL Sahara today and while it far exceeded most expectations, the wind noise was pretty bad where the freedom panels meet the windshield. 60-75mph on a calm day. Still, I'm now even more excited for mine to arrive after driving one today.

 

[Dynomite1371]

Clarification is needed, Jeeps nauturana allow more outside noise in, yes. But whistling noises, leaking noises, buffering wind, etc.are different things. My JLUR may be a tad louder when driving into the wind, proproba due to its height, compared to my former JKH. But other than that, it's great. All the mote reason to get the Alpine Premium Sound. I swear when I turn it up, I can't hear shit outside!

 

[sawburner]

The headliners will help. On my JK I removed the top, turned it upside down and carpeted the entire interior of the top.
Cost $40 and really helped the looks, I didnt have any noise before and surely didnt after.
I am just spoiled as my Denali is whisper quiet at 80MPH.

What kind of adhesive did you use? I plan putting something on my hard top when I get it. Thanks Mark

 

[Boatbuilder88]

If it's fixable, it would be unusual for a design issue to make it all the way into production w/o being caught. That makes me think it's a supplier quality and/or assembly issue. Glad I'm waiting until summer.

Agree. Pre-production prototypes go through hundreds of hours of wind tunnel and road tests. Should not be a design issue. If it is, then shame on Jeep for just letting this pass.

 

[jericbarg]

What kind of adhesive did you use? I plan putting something on my hard top when I get it. Thanks Mark

I used contact adhesive, easy to work with and holds better than anything else.
Actually my 13 year old Son installed it, I just helped him remove the top and flip it over for easier access.
It took him 2.5 hours and we let the glue completely "gas out" for another 2 hours. Looked very professional.

 

[se7en]

All this talk has me confused. I test drove a 2018 JK Unlimited Rubicon with hard top, then drove the JL Unlimited Rubicon with hard top. Identical vehicles for the most part other than the JK vs JL, and the JL was noticeably quieter inside! It was the first thing my wife and I noticed. I assumed it was due to new engineering or other improvements. All this talk of the JL being louder is confusing! Maybe I'm just one of the lucky ones!?

 

[James]

I just drove all 3 models of the JLU Wranglers on city streets and mountain driving here in Denver.

When in the mountains at 65 mph and some cross wind, I had quite a bit of wind noise. Sounded like it was coming from the top of the windshield/hardtop seal.

The Sport S was the loudest, while the Sahara and the Rubicon were only somewhat quieter. None had the top liner installed, which I think is odd since CO temps vary from -30 to 100 deg. F during the year from the high plains to the mountains. I know, I've lived here for over 26 years.

You lucky few who are driving your own ( I'm waiting for the 2 dr ), what is your experience?

Okay, so it is not just me complaining about the wind noise.

I test drove two different JLUR a few weeks ago, one with the headliner and one without. Once I hit 65mph+ the wind noise was driving me nuts. It sounded like a door or window was left open. The salesman said it is much quieter than the JK. WTF? Seriously?

I have a fully loaded JLUR on order with a shipping date of 2/10 with a window sticker of $54,954+ tax and delivery it is going to run me just over $60k out the door.
If I compare it to the other vehicles I have owned in this price range that were all SUV, MB and Range Rover none of them had any wind noise. Heck we have a 2016 Jeep compass that has less wind noise than the new JLUR

I have a 2004 TJ that is fully built, it use to have a soft top and I bought a factory hardtop for it a few years ago. Even with the hard top it was way to nosy inside on the fwy for me. I found a company online called sharkskin that sells a sound deading kit for $700. I stripped the interior of the TJ and installed this kit. I then pulled the hardtop and installed a rubber pad that I glued in place. My TJ is so quite now on the FWY I can have my cell phone on speaker and have a conversation. Off road you don’t head any rocks hitting underneath. This is how quite it should be in my opinion.
If my new JLUR ends up having too much wind noise even with the factor headliner, the first thing I’m going to do is pull the hardtop and add a sound deading pad. If that does not work I’ll do the entire thing in the sharkskin kit and see if that helps.
My days of loud fwy noises are over, I’m at an age where I want it quite.

I’ll keep everyone posted as to what I end up doing

 

[Quigley]

Drove a Sahara and rubicon and both hard tops had this wind buffering sound, similar to driving with the moonroof open and no doors so it has that slight hilacopter sound... anyway it was annoying to say the least.

I thought so also. Expected more from Jeep than this. My 1998 2 dr Sahara hardtop was quieter than the new ones, but it only had a one piece top. I wonder if the 3 piece tops are noisier due to design

 

[Quigley]

I think the soft top may be just as noisy at the header but the sound gets soaked up in the material. The hardtop just resonates the sound throughout the cabin.
I do agree, the premium soft top is much easier on the ears.

You know I wonder. Heard the new 3 piece top this year is made of a thinner and lighter material. Wondering if this is causing the increased noise. If so, then maybe it will quiet with the liners

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